HJR18-1015 Summary

• The General Assembly recognizes and commends the efforts and sacrifice of millions of Latina/o men and women who have served in the United States Armed Forces.

• Latina/o individuals have participated in every American military conflict since the American Revolution, with General Bernardo de Galvez assisting General George Washington during the Revolutionary War.

• Approximately 500,000 Latina/o Americans served in World War II, including the all Spanish-speaking 158th Regimental Combat Team and 141st Infantry Regiment.

• In 1948, Dr. Hector Garcia founded the American GI Forum to address discrimination against Latina/o veterans denied GI Bill benefits; Garcia received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1984.

• Sixty-one Latina/o veterans have been awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor, more than 156,000 currently serve as active-duty members, and over 1.2 million Latina/o veterans live in the United States.